What does the Bible say about timing?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God sovereignly appoints the times and seasons of life and calls His people to trust His wise purposes with patience and faith. Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares that every matter has its proper time, while Psalm 31:14-15 comforts believers that their times are in God’s hand. Habakkuk 2:3 assures us that God’s promised purposes will arrive at the appointed time, even when they seem delayed. Jesus teaches that the exact time of His return is known to the Father alone in Matthew 24:36, so Christians should remain watchful and faithful. In present troubles, believers endure with hope, knowing that coming glory will surpass suffering (Romans 8:18-21; Matthew 24:13).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ecclesiastes 3:1

    For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:

  • Psalms 31:14-15

    [14] But I trust in you, Yahweh. I said, "You are my God." [15] My times are in your hand. Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

  • Habakkuk 2:3

    For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won't prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won't delay.

  • Matthew 24:36

    But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

  • Genesis 18:14

    Is anything too hard for Yahweh? At the set time I will return to you, when the season comes round, and Sarah will have a son."

  • John 16:33

    I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world."

  • Romans 8:18-21

    [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us. [19] For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of decay into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

  • Matthew 24:13

    But he who endures to the end, the same will be saved.

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